Published: Monday, February 24, 2014 at 6:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, February 24, 2014 at 6:44 p.m.

The former Alabama standout and major leaguer was inducted into the Marengo County Sports Hall of Fame at a banquet on Feb. 11.

Phillips, a Demopolis Academy graduate, held Alabama school records in eight different statistical categories and was a four-year starter on four SEC Tournament championship teams, three College World Series teams and one SEC Championship team.

He was drafted by the New York Yankees in 1999 and played professional baseball for 13 years, including parts of five seasons at the major league level (2004-08) with the Yankees, Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets.

The honor came as a bit of a surprise. Phillips said he knew something was, "fishy" when people were calling him trying to put some information together in the weeks leading up to the banquet.

"It's special when the place you grew up and the people appreciate and support what you've done throughout your athletic career," Phillips said.

Five other men whose career began in Marengo County were also honored at the banquet.

<p>Alabama baseball hitting coach Andy Phillips earned a hometown honor earlier this month.</p><p>The former Alabama standout and major leaguer was inducted into the Marengo County Sports Hall of Fame at a banquet on Feb. 11.</p><p>Phillips, a Demopolis Academy graduate, held Alabama school records in eight different statistical categories and was a four-year starter on four SEC Tournament championship teams, three College World Series teams and one SEC Championship team. </p><p>He was drafted by the New York Yankees in 1999 and played professional baseball for 13 years, including parts of five seasons at the major league level (2004-08) with the Yankees, Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets.</p><p>The honor came as a bit of a surprise. Phillips said he knew something was, "fishy" when people were calling him trying to put some information together in the weeks leading up to the banquet.</p><p>"It's special when the place you grew up and the people appreciate and support what you've done throughout your athletic career," Phillips said.</p><p>Five other men whose career began in Marengo County were also honored at the banquet.</p><p>"It was great," Phillips said. "It was a special night."</p>